FAITHFUL SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 80, 2 March 1935, Page 8

FAITHFUL SERVICE

v, LONGBURN RESIDENTS’ TRIBUTE | TO MR AND MRS C. C. HILLS. The completion of a period of 38# years’ service in tlio teaching profession, 151 years having been spent in Longbnrn, by Mr C. C. Hills ivas an occasion which the residents of the district could not allow, to pass without according the retiring headmaster due honour tor his faithful work among the youth of tho community, and the Longburn Hall was crowded to its fullest capacity last night when Mr a.nd Mrs Hills and family were the guests of honour at a social and dance. Mr and Mrs Hills were met at the door on arrival by the entertainment committee, and were accorded the place of honour in the grand march which was composed of pupils and expupils, many of the latte: having come from a long distance in order to again meet their former schoolmaster. Mrs Hills was presented with a bouquet by little Bonny Bell, while Mr Hills was the recipient of a buttonhole from Master Callesen. A concert programme was then entered upon, the items being interspersed with dances, and a very enjoyable time was spent, the dance music being supplied bv a professional orchestra. Contributors to the programme were:—School girls, “Musical Switch.” (songs); primers, dance, “Once There was a Princess”; group of girls with Master Jack Hill as the bear, “Teddv Bears’ Picnic”; group of girls with dolls, “How would you like to be a baby girl”; song and dance wherein the leading parts were taken bv Margaret and Pauline Wilson; Miss Rita. Birch, song; Messrs D. Rowland and I. Fraser, Hawaiian song; Miss F. Doherty, songs; Miss Z. Leamy. songs; Miss V. Zurcher, recitation, “A Country girl goes to the Pictures.” Misses M. Leamy, C. Rowland and Thora Rodden acted as the accompanists. TRIBUTE OF THE DISTRICT. .

At a suitable juncture, Mr J. Callesen, chairman of the School Committee, in addressing the company, stated that to him fell the honour of presenting to Mr and Mrs Hills a small token of°the high esteem in which they are held by the residents of Longburn and district. “Mr Hills began his teaching career nearly 40 years ago,” continued Mr Callesen*. “For 18 months lie acted as probationer without pay prior to officially entering the service at the munificent salary of £25 per annum. Six years later lie was receiving £95. Most of Mr Hills’s early days were spent in the backblocks, long before the Alain Trunk line was put through, but for the past 15 years he has been our honoured headmaster, during which period he has earned the esteem and affection of the whole community, for not only was he teacher, but he was also friend to the pupils under his charge. Mr Hills was one of the pioneers of the school garden movement, one which he lias seen develop right throughout the Dominion. His activities, however, have not- been confined to schoolwork alone, for he has been ever readv to assist any worthy cause, while his work at the time of the Hawke’s Bay earthquake will be well remembered. “My remarks would be very incomplete,” added Mr Callesen. “if I did not make reference to the splendid support lie ha.s had from Mrs Hills, for his good wife has been ever ready to assist- the pupils in their music, singing, sewing and dancing, and no one could have done more for school functions than Mrs Hills. Fortunately for Longburn Air and Airs Hills are now residing comparatively handy to the town, and I sincerely hope that they will both continue to take the same friendly interest in the school and the community life of the district. On behalf of the pupils of the school, past and present, and the residents of the district. Air Callesen then asked Air and Airs Hills to accept a handsome silver tea service on ail oak tray (with the plate suitably inscribed) as a. token of the high esteem in which they are held bv the whole community. As Air Hills accepted the gift, it was the signal for an outbrust of applause. Miss Ha.idee Hills and Master Charles Hills also received small gifts of remembrance. RECALLING THE PAST. Alesrs J. A. Nash and J. Linklater, AT.P.’s, who had come from Wellington by the Limited express, hurried back from Palmerston North in order to add their tributes to the service rendered to Longburn and district by the guests of the'evening. Both spoke of the wonderful work each had performed and congratulated the people of Longburn on retaining Air and Airs Hills as residents. Air Nash also referred to the battle which had developed in connection with the old school immediately after Air Hills’s arrival at Longburn, stating that Air Hills had armed him with a piece of the old school to take to Wellington to present to Sir James Parr. That unmistakable evidence of Longburn’s needs had been brought home to the Alinister, and Longburn and Air Hills had been rewarded by being granted a new school. FITTINGLY REWARDED. On rising to reply, Air Hills stated that it was with mixed feelings of deep gratitude, tinged with sadness, that he was with them that night. “I am filled with thankfulness for the honour you have accorded Airs Hills a.nd myself,” he continued, “and am pleased and gratified to learn that our work Iras been so much appreciated, even though the time has now come when age demands that my term of service must close. With regard to mv work in the school I can honestly say that I have been fully rewarded in seeing my pupils grow ux> around me into good citizens, and to have retained their respect and affection has been a golden casket to me. No greater reward can any man expect. I would say to my young friends that, in spite of the difficult period in which they are living, they have three wonderful assets—youth, hope and character. The first two of these are the natural rights of every child, but the building of character js the true aim of education, and this has been my object throughout life. I can uuhesitatinglv say that my pupils have never let me down. “During my long period of service, continued Air Hills, “there have been many attempts to improve our education system, but the only change worthy of comment is the attitude of teacher to child —the teacher is now the friend and confidant of the pupil. Schools are now a place of joy, and I have always endeavoured to cultivate a sense of chivalry and humour. There are young men in this hall to-night who could tell how, bursting with chivalry, they faced punishment for a girl. However, we do not know whether there was a reward to justify the sacrifice. Longburn has been very good to me, not only to-night, hut always.' The people have rallied round their school in a wonderful way, and so made all of our public functions a wonderful success. I have had tlie most enthusiastic committees, while the people’s support lias kept the committees liberally supplied with funds. AVith. Air Callesen as the present chairman of the committee, the school, teachers and children will always be well cared for ” Air Hills concluded by stating that Mr Callesen’s predecessor, Air yv. Weddell, had rendered yeoman service for many years, while lie was pleased to

see with them Mr C. Palmer, the chairman of two decades ago, who had wholeheartedly assisted his efforts in getting a new school. Tho handsome gift which they had made to Airs Hills and himself would occupy an honoured place in their home, and would always recall the happy years he had spent in the life of the district. (Prolonged applause.) Dancing was then re-entered upon and was kept up till a late hour, when a very happy gathering was concluded with the singing of “Arrld Lang Syne.” Apologies and good wishes were received from many old residents and former pupils away from the district who had not found it possible to attend.